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Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is proud to announce a renewed partnership with HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, to provide exclusive coverage for the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, August 8.

Now in its’ 21st edition, the Dan Patch Invitational pace sets the stage for the top rated pacers in North America to convene on Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval seeking a lucrative $250,000 purse and a spot in Hoosier Park’s history.

HRTV will be on property throughout the weekend to provide racing fans with exclusive coverage of all the festivities happening on and off the race track. Racing fans can also catch exclusive interviews on the HRTV programming from drivers and trainers racing at Hoosier Park.

HRTV’s national on-air host, Peter Lurie, will return to Hoosier Park for the fifth consecutive year to cover another Hoosier Park signature event. For the last four years Lurie has not only covered the Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park but also the Indiana Derby at Indiana Downs. Lurie will provide commentary and handicapping throughout the Friday program alongside Hoosier Park’s Racing Commentator, Emily Gaskin.

Hoosier Park’s signature harness racing event has become a tradition that is close to the hearts of Hoosiers. The Dan Patch, an invitational race, not only highlights some of the best athletes in the sport of harness racing, but is deeply rooted throughout Indiana soil.

Hoosier Park’s headline event is part of a special weekend tagged “Dan Patch Festival Weekend”. The entire weekend will be filled with extreme racing, extreme entertainment, extreme wagers, giveaways and fun throughout the Hoosier Park property.

The ‘extreme’ theme will take center stage on the track as ten of North America’s fastest Standardbreds go to post for the Dan Patch Invitational, slated as the twelfth race on the program with an estimated post time of 9:30 p.m.

In what may be the most competitive field ever assembled, the 21st installment of Hoosier Park’s featured event will highlight the 14-race program that will boast lofty purses. The 2014 installment has no shortage of talent as racing fans can expect to see not only the sport’s top rated older pacers but the best drivers in the sport of harness racing.

The weekend will also be complimented by The East Meets Midwest Drivers’ Challenge which will pit the top-five drivers at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, against five of the top drivers from the East in a three-race challenge with the winning team going home with their share of the $20,000 prize. The top five drivers from Hoosier Park will make-up “Team Midwest” with the top five drivers from the East making up “Team East”.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered exclusively for the Dan Patch Festival weekend. A $25,000 Guaranteed Dan Patch Superfecta pool will be available as part of a special Strategic Wagering Program introduced through the United States Trotting Association. The wager will have a minimum bet of 10 cents, and is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association.

A $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-3 pool will also be available to racing fans for the three races of the East Meets Midwest Drivers’ Challenge. The Pick-3, which offers a 50-cent minimum wager, will begin in the seventh race and will continue through the ninth race. Post time for the first race on the 14 race card is 5:15 p.m.

About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino was recently ranked as the Indianapolis Area’s Most Popular Attraction for the fourth year in a row by the Indianapolis Business Journal and holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, a fully integrated gaming and racing facility, features 2,000 of the latest slots and electronic table games and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. Simulcast wagering is offered year-round at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and two off-track betting facilities located in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.

In the midst of their 21st season of live harness racing, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino proudly unveiled a new, state-of-the art horsemen’s lounge on Tuesday, July 29.

The 3,600-square-foot facility is located on Hoosier Park’s backside, directly across from the race paddock, and will serve many different purposes for horsemen racing at Hoosier Park. Development of the new facility began in the spring of 2014 and was completed just in time for Hoosier Park’s signature event, the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational, on Friday, August 8.

Half of the facility has been made accessible to any licensed Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) member and will provide numerous amenities including computer work stations, restrooms, flat screen televisions, a lounge area, and wi-fi access. The one-story structure also houses two offices for the Indiana Standardbred Association representatives.

The remaining half of the facility will serve as a locker room and lounge for the full-time drivers at Hoosier Park. Featuring both a men and women’s locker room, this section of the facility features individual lockers, showers, washing machines and a lounge area equipped with flat screen televisions.

“It’s second to none,” driver Trent Stohler noted after a tour of the building. “I don’t think we could have designed it better ourselves and I think I speak for everyone on the backside when I say we really appreciate what Hoosier Park has done with this.”

The doors of the building were officially opened at a lunch ceremony on Hoosier Park’s backside attended by both Hoosier Park team members and horsemen. Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager of Racing, led the ceremony and welcomed guests to tour the new facility.

“The opening of this facility not only signifies our commitment to all the people that make Hoosier Park a great place to race but Hoosier Park’s commitment to racing in the state of Indiana,” Moore noted. “This lounge is a place for everyone racing at Hoosier Park to call their own and a place we are proud of. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this facility possible.”

The horsemen’s lounge will be maintained by Hoosier Park employees and available to horsemen during the live racing schedule.

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., the 160-day meet will offer an extended stakes schedule be conducted through November 15.

About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino was recently ranked as the Indianapolis Area’s Most Popular Attraction for the fourth year in a row by the Indianapolis Business Journal and holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, a fully integrated gaming and racing facility, features 2,000 of the latest slots and electronic table games and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. Simulcast wagering is offered year-round at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and two off-track betting facilities located in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.

One of the most highly anticipated days on the harness racing card at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will take place on Friday, August 8 as the best in the sport of harness racing will descend upon the seven-eighths mile oval for the 21st edition of the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational. As part of a weekend long festival of entertainment and racing, ten of the top rated pacers in North America will take center stage as they go to post seeking glory in Hoosier Park’s signature harness racing event.

Hoosier Park’s most prestigious pacing race has become a tradition that is close to the hearts of Hoosiers. The Dan Patch, an invitational race, not only highlights some of the best athletes in the sport of harness racing, but is deeply rooted throughout Indiana soil.

Hoosier Park’s event is named after the early 1900s racehorse phenomenon, Dan Patch. Originally from Oxford, Ind., Dan Patch raced the clock rather than his inferior competitors. Drawing crowds of over 90,000 people at a single race, the free-legged equine hero was the unparalleled sports icon of his time.

The Dan Patch race was established at Hoosier Park in 1994 with Ready To Rumble and driver Trevor Ritchie winning the inaugural edition 20 years ago. The list of all-star horses that have made their way to Hoosier Park over the years includes Jenna’s Beach Boy, Maltese Artist and former seven-eighths mile world record holder, the late Pacific Fella.

Scott Peine, Hoosier Park’s racing secretary, inherits the responsibility of recruiting the best horses to compete in the event every year. Peine begins making his list of potential contenders for one of the ten coveted invitations to the Dan Patch many weeks in advance.

“We are looking at what may be the most competitive field to date in the 2014 edition of our signature race,” Peine noted. “We haven’t officially decided, but the horses we are looking to invite are evenly matched and that makes for great racing. There is an outstanding group of older pacers racing all over the country right now and we are looking forward to bringing them to Hoosier Park.”

Post positions for the 2014 edition of the Dan Patch will be drawn at a community luncheon held at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday, August 5.
This year delivers a new and exciting aspect as the winner of the 2014 Dan Patch Invitational will get an automatic nomination to the 2014 edition of the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby slated for Friday, October 31 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. All nomination fees will be waived but in the event the winner of the Dan Patch Invitational has already been nominated to the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, a refund of all fees will be given upon declaration.

The Dan Patch Invitational will be part of a special weekend tagged as the “Dan Patch Festival Weekend” and will feature extreme entertainment, giveaways, and racing. The thrill-themed weekend will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside free fireworks, giveaways, and interactive family-friendly entertainment. Also, highlighting the weekend will by a concert by Little Big Town on Saturday, August 9 as Hoosier Park continues their summer concert series line-up.

While she may have played the bridesmaid in her first start against stakes company, Im The Real Lady found the winner’s circle when it mattered most as she shined in the featured event, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final for two-year-old pacing fillies, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, July 25. With driver Peter Wrenn at the lines, Im The Real Lady was able to overcome a tough, first-over trip to score the second win of her career in a lifetime best performance of 1:54.3.

Leaving from the coveted rail position, Im The Real Lady was eased off the gate to settle along the rail in fifth while the rest of the field sorted out early positions. Trace Tetrick had Flight Cancelled dialed in as he sent her to the front through an opening panel in :28.4. Shady Linds and Ed Hensley were well placed in the pocket while Aristobrat Hanover and Tyler Smith found good, early position third along the rail from post nine.

Flight Cancelled dictated fractions of :58.1 and 1:26.4 before ever feeling pressure from the rest of the field. Unable to wait any longer, Wrenn gave Im The Real Lady the green light heading into the final turn and they began their long first-over journey to the front with Ashok Ace and LeWayne Miller in tow. The field began to tighten as they rounded the final turn and it was a cavalry charge to the wire.

With the even money favorite Feetonthedashboard and Dale Hiteman making a costly break around the final turn, the race appeared to be wide open. Im The Real Lady had reached the leader’s wheel half-way down the stretch and dug in gamely to put a nose in front at the wire. Flight Cancelled held on for the second place honors while Aristobrat Hanover took advantage of a ground saving trip to round out the trifecta. Sent off at odds of 4-1, Im The Real Lady returned $10.00 at the betting window.

“The trip wasn’t perfect but she was on her game tonight,” Wrenn noted after the win. “She’s a pretty handy little filly that is just starting to learn how to race and come into her own.”

Trained and Owned by Perry Smith, the daughter of Real Desire-Hysterical Lady has now won two of three career starts while amassing $47,100 in career earnings. Im The Real Lady won her career debut at Hoosier Park and followed that performance up with a second place finish in her elimination round of the Indiana Sires Stakes action last week.

Freshman pacing colts were in the spotlight at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, July 24 in the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes action but the night belonged to trainer Jeff Cullipher and driver Sam Widger.

The Cullipher-Widger duo teamed up to score in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final for two-year-old pacing colts with Toni’s Affection in 1:51.4 and then just a few races later in the $25,000 consolation for two-year-old pacing colts with Ima Full Time Job in 1:52.3. Cullipher sent out three of the ten entries in the $75,000 final from his stable and in the end it was Toni’s Affection prevailing in a hard fought battle to the wire. Stablemates Harfo Hanover and Mr. Julian finished second and fifth, respectively.

Leaving from post two, Widger sent Toni’s Affection away from the gate just enough to secure an early position along the rail in second. Camturo Rock and Dave Magee would get the first call through the opening panel in :26.3 but quickly yielded the lead to the post time favorite, Freaky Feet Pete and Trace Tetrick.

Freaky Feet Pete carved out fractions of :55 and 1:23.3 before feeling a threat by Skyway Dante and Peter Wrenn who were on the attack first-over. As the field turned for home, Freaky Feet Pete began to labor on the front with the rest of the field closing in. Camturo Rock surged from the pocket to take a short lead but was unable to hold off the hard charging Toni’s Affection.

Toni’s Affection utilized a :27.4 final quarter to win by a head in a lifetime best effort. Camturo Rocked finished second but was placed third after a judge’s disqualification in the stretch leaving Harfo Hanover and Tyler Smith to inherit the second place honors. Slightly dismissed at the betting window, Toni’s Affection returned $18.40 to his backers.

“This is the toughest group of Indiana-bred two-year-old pacing colts that I’ve ever seen,” Cullipher noted after the victory. “I’ve always had faith in this colt though, he has been the perfect horse to train all winter and I had a lot of confidence in him tonight.”

“This is just amazing,” he continued. “His namesake was here tonight and everything worked out for us. He is a nice, nice colt.”

Toni’s Affection was a $19,000 Harrisburg Yearling Sale purchase and was later re-named after co-owner David Lewis Linker’s wife. Linker co-owns the son of Always A Virgin-Yankee Affection with Thomas Pollack. Toni’s Affection has now amassed $71,250 from four lifetime starts for his connections.

Pollack and Linker would find the winner’s circle once more with the Cullipher-Widger duo this time in the $25,000 Indiana Sires Stakes consolation for two-year-old pacing colts with Ima Full Time Job in 1:52.3 who is owned in tandem by the partnership of Randall Bendis, David Linker and Thomas Pollack.

In much the same fashion, Widger had Ima Full Time Job forwardly place through hot opening fractions of :26.1 and :55.1 set by the heavily favored Kelly D and Trace Tetrick.

When the field hit the three quarter mark in 1:24.4, Kelly D was clinging to the lead while the rest of the field closed in. Widger was able to find the late racing room he needed in the stretch and Ima Full Time Job did the rest.

Using a :27.3 final quarter, Ima Full Time Job coasted home a winner to finish a length in front of Rockin Jimmy and LeWayne Miller. Much like his stablemate a few races earlier, Ima Full Time Job was slightly dismissed at the betting window and returned $17.20 for the win.

“This colt may be the sleeper,” Cullipher noted after the race. “He’s had some bad racing luck with post positions and trips earlier in the season but take nothing away from him, he’s a nice colt.”

It was a maiden breaking victory for the son of I Scoot Hanover-Mother Alberta in just his fourth career start. The freshman colt has now earned $50,350 for his connections.

Special JJ kept her flawless freshman record intact using a perfectly timed rally late in the stretch to score in the featured attraction, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting fillies, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, July 23. With a final time of 1:57, it was a lifetime best performance and third victory of the season for Special JJ.

Leaving from post two in the field of ten, Special JJ and driver Trent Stohler were away a worrisome seventh while the heavily favored Crunchess Finale and Darrell Wright made their customary move to the front. Crunchess Finale made an uncharacteristic break through the opening panel in :27.2 leaving Diamond Dagger and Thomas Russell to inherit the lead. Peter Wrenn sent Sloane Elise to the front through the half-mile time in :58.2 but would quickly yield the top spot to Churita and Trace Tetrick.

Churita continued to call the shots as the field approached the final turn but was feeling pressure from Golden Big Stick and Brad Hanners on the outside. As the field hit the third station in 1:28.1, the top pair was stride for stride turning for home.

Churita was able to put away Golden Big Stick halfway down the stretch but her biggest threat was still behind her. Just as Stohler found late racing room, Special JJ found another gear. Using a :28 final panel, Special JJ powered home to get the win by a head. Churita made a costly break just before the wire and was placed third leaving Golden Big Stick to inherit the second place honors. Slightly dismissed by the betting public at 5-1, Special JJ returned $13.60 at the betting window.

“She’s done everything we’ve asked of her so far,” Stohler noted after the victory. “We’ve taken our time getting her ready. She’s still learning and figuring things out but does know how to win.”

Trained by Trent Stohler, who also co-owns the filly with The Kales Company, Special JJ now sports a lifetime bankroll of $52,100 for her connections. The daughter of Jailhouse Jesse-Rhonda T was also victorious in the $20,000 Indiana Sires Stakes elimination just last week at Hoosier Park.

With the win, Special JJ also earned points for the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals slated for October 18 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The Indiana Sires Stakes program will culminate with the top ten point earners from the previous $75,000 finals in each division returning to compete in the super finals.

Indiana Sires Stakes action returns to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, July 24 with the second of five $75,000 finals for the two-year-old pacing colt division. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.

Freshman trotting colts were the featured attraction at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in the second round of $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals on Tuesday, July 22. After a costly break in the first $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final at Hoosier Park, Airman Batten and LeWayne Miller rebounded nicely to score in 1:57 and make a clean sweep of the second round of the stakes action. Last week, Airman Batten made quick work of his $20,000 elimination to score in 2:00.3 and secure his spot in the $75,000 final.

In a field ruled by miscues, Airman Batten was eased off the gate this week from post six to settle along the rail in fifth while the field sorted out early positions. Summit City Nate and Sam Widger were the quickest off the gate and dictated early fractions of :27.4 and :58.3. Victory Blitz and Andy Shetler were well placed in the pocket while Homicide Hunter and John DeLong followed intently in third.

Summit City Nate continued to call the shots down the backside but yielded the lead to Homicide Hunter at third station in 1:28.1. With most of the field breaking stride, it was a four horse race to the finish with Homicide Hunter leading the charge.

Using a :28.2 final quarter, Airman Batten saved his best for last as he staged a big rally late in the lane to wear down the tiring leader. Homicide Hunter trotted evenly to finish second while Summit City Nate held on gamely to round out the trifecta. As the 6-5 favorite, Airman Batten returned $4.60 to his backers at the window.

Trained by Erv Miller, the son of Swan For All-Ladylike Volo has now won three of four career starts. Airman Batten set a lifetime record with the 1:57 score and has now amassed $66,500 for his connections of Paymaq Racing, Harvey Eisman, and Greg Gillis.

With the win, Airman Batten also earned points for the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals slated for October 18 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The Indiana Sires Stakes program will culminate with the top ten point earners from the previous $75,000 finals in each division returning to compete in the super finals.

Indiana Sires Stakes action returns to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, July 23 with the second of five $75,000 finals for the two-year-old trotting filly division. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s 2014 Champion Driver Series highlighted the 14-race card on Saturday, July 19 and it was LeWayne Miller who was crowned the winner to take home his share of the $5,000 prize. In its’ inaugural edition, the 2014 Champion Driver Series pitted the top-ten drivers at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino against one another in a five-race challenge with the ten coveted spots being based upon wins at Hoosier Park.

As the youngest driver in the group of ten, Miller was able to overcome his sixth place rankings in the standings to accumulate the most points in the five races of the challenge and secure the win. In just his second full season a driver, Miller has recorded 238 career victories and proved a force to be reckoned with in the bike.

The 27-year-old, Indiana native earned two wins, one third, one fourth, and one ninth place finish during the five-race competition for a total of 47 points, beating out nine other Hoosier Park driving stars. Sam Widger finished second with 38 points followed by Andy Shetler finishing third with 37.5 points.
Miller kicked off the challenge with a fourth place finish with Rocknroll Special from post eight earning seven points while Brad Hanners and Lady’s Man notched a victory for 15 points.

In the very next race of the challenge, Miller was able to utilize the long Hoosier Park stretch to get Pam Mater Mark home a winner at 12-1 in a lifetime best performance of 1:55.2. Hanners had Velocity Chip Shot well placed to finish second and earned 9 points. After the second race of the challenge, Hanners continued to lead all drivers with 24 points but Miller was closing in with 22 points.

With a third place finish behind Lyons Frank in the third leg of the challenge, Miller accumulated 8 more points and moved into the lead. Although he failed to hit the board in the fourth leg with Flight Request, Miller earned two points for his ninth place finish and was still atop the leader board, by a narrow margin, with 32 points. Ross Leonard moved into second place with 31 points after a win with Henry Blue Chip.

Miller clinched the trophy by turning a pocket trip into a victory in the final race of the challenge with Mike Wilson’s Stylish Rocket in 1:52.2. It was the fourth win of the season and a lifetime best performance for Stylish Rocket.

“I had some nice horses and I got really lucky,” Miller noted after the victory. “I felt confident about my picks coming into tonight but wasn’t sure what to expect. I picked 6th in the draft and I was happy with that because I felt like I had a decent shot of getting some live horses rather than picking last in some of the races.”

“The trips worked out and the horses showed up,” he continued. “I’d like to thank the trainers and Hoosier Park for this opportunity, it feels great.”

Miller will now aim to defend his title in the second series of the challenge slated for September 27 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. While the second challenge will be conducted in the same manner as the first challenge, the winner of the final challenge will be awarded a one-year lease of a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

“I think I would look pretty good driving that car,” Miller noted with a smile. “Hopefully, things go my way and I have another night like I did tonight.”

The drivers for the 2014 Champion Driver Series at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino have been solidified with Ed Hensley securing the last spot in the competition after a victory on the 14-race card on Saturday, July 12. The first of two rounds in the 2014 Champion Driver Series will kick off on Saturday, July 19th and will pit the top-ten drivers at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino against one another in a five-race challenge for their share of a $5,000 prize.
Qualifying for the 2014 Champion Driver Series began on Friday, March 28 and ended at the conclusion of the live racing card on Saturday. Heading into the weekend, just one win separated Ed Hensley and Mike Micallef for the tenth spot in the win standings. Scoring a victory on Saturday’s card and pushing his meet total to 28, Hensley managed to secure a spot in the top ten standings even after being sidelined for nearly two months due to an injury.
“I’m excited,” Hensley noted at the conclusion of the evening’s card. “I didn’t know if I would be able to get back into it after being out for so long. This is a really great thing Hoosier Park is doing for the drivers and for the fans and I am glad I get to be a part of it, hopefully I can win it too.”
Hensley will join meet leader Trace Tetrick who has secured his number one position with 147 victories. The other drivers, listed by position in the standings, are as follows: Tyler Smith (118 wins), Peter Wrenn (94), Sam Widger (91), Ricky Macomber Jr. (64), Andy Shetler (59), Brad Hanners (59), LeWayne Miller (58), and Ross Leonard (32).
In each of the challenges, the drivers will be picking the horses they will drive via a draft system for all five of the races in the challenge. In the first race of the challenge, the top driver, Trace Tetrick, will get first pick of the horse he wants to drive. Next the No. 2 driver, Tyler Smith, will pick and then continue through all 10 drivers.
For the second race of the challenge, the selection order will be inverted and the No. 10 driver, Ed Hensley, will pick first. This drafting system will continue through all five races of the challenge. Points will be awarded in each of the five races ranging from 15 points for the winners down to 1 point for the 10th-place finisher.
The challenge races will be five consecutive races and compliment the 14-race card slated for Saturday, July 19. After the dust settles and the points have been tallied from each of the five races, one driver will be walking away with his share of $5,000 and a secured spot in the second round of the series.
The top eight finishers from the first challenge will return for round two on Saturday, September 27 with the final two positions being determined by the official Hoosier Park standings at the conclusion of racing on Saturday, September 20.While the second challenge will be conducted in the same manner as the first challenge, the winner of the final challenge will be awarded a one-year lease of a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.